Teresa Essary West - wife, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend - has left this world too soon. She was the second of five children, and the only girl, born to Clyde and Louise Essary. Teresa grew up in Portageville, Mo.  While she lived in Memphis and for a time in Los Angeles, Portageville was always her home.

By trade, Teresa was a hair stylist. She spent her days making people feel better about themselves with each perm or root touch-up. Being a stylist was the perfect career choice for her. She was able to meet new people, hear and tell stories, and make lifelong friends. She really was a people person.

There was little Teresa loved more than her family. She adored her nieces and nephews, whom she could spoil, tease, love, and entertain. She often organized family reunions and hosted porch parties. We truly believe she is having both right now.

Teresa had found the balance so many miss in life. She was lighthearted and jovial, but loyal and devoted to the core. She married Michael West in 1988 and spent every year since loving and bossing him around. She was an active Catholic at St. Eustachius.

Teresa had many passions: travel, champagne, gardening, antiques, and the arts. She was bigger than life and enjoyed every second. She was generous to a fault and was never mean-spirited. Edith Bouvier Beale once said, "But you see in dealing with me, the relatives didn't know that they were dealing with a staunch character and I tell you if there's anything worse than dealing with a staunch woman... S-T-A-U-N-C-H. There's nothing worse, I'm telling you. They don't weaken, no matter what." No other word could describe our beloved Sissy more: STAUNCH.

As the cancer spread, she never weakened, never gave up, never quit fighting. We are heartbroken without her, but we are steadfast in the belief we will see her again. May we all find ways to be more like her.

Arrangements are Funeral Mass at the St Eustachius Church on Tuesday, March 8, 2015 @10:00 A.M.
Memorials requested for the IBC Network Foundation, P.O. Box 908 Friend Sword, Texas 77546 https://www.the ibcnetwork .org